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Mukdenia 'Karasuba' (Crimson Fans)
I've enjoyed growing this perennial for many years and photos like the one above will make any gardener appreciate the value of the late season coloration on these fanned, maple-like leaves of mukdenia...
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Cool Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)
We had another relatively mild day with temperatures well about freezing. Â Big John and Larry continued work on the continued take down of the Holiday Light Show (HLS). Â Marv B. later helped out with...
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'Henry Eilers' Sweet Coneflower
One of my favorite, taller perennials for full sun is the 'Henry Eilers' sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa) seen in all of these photos. Â This selection of the native species differs in that it...
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Look For The Meteor Shower (Verbena)!
The weekend was almost balmy with daytime temperatures close to 60 degrees F. Â Today is still warmer than usual but the snow arriving tonight and tomorrow will be our "reality check!"Â We did have a...
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Silver Sage Adds A Fuzzy Touch
With some "white stuff" floating down last night to a depth of 3", I wanted to include a different white in the blog today. Â This silver sage (Salvia argentea) seen above is addressed further down with...
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Golden Spirit Smokebush
We still have a snowy landscape although the expected warm up over the weekend should melt everything off by early next week when temperatures start to reach 60 degrees F and warmer! Â That should get...
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Iresine 'Blazin' Rose' (Bloodleaf)
After another dusting of snow arrived last night to maintain our white landscape, I thought some summer color was in order for the blog. Â This 'Blazin' Rose' bloodleaf (Iresine hybrida) is an...
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Our "Almost Spring Symposium" is Almost Here!
This week was very productive in terms of bringing in more of the Holiday Light Show (HLS). Â Above is Larry H., who along with Big John, have spearheaded the efforts to retrieve, process and store the...
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Deutzia Chardonnay Pearls
End of the day distractions yesterday (Tuesday) caused me to forget to post this blog! Â I had loaded the photos of this wonderful shrub and simply "spaced out". Â The shrub is Chardonnay Pearls slender...
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A Busy Thursday
I was finally able to get out in the gardens today for a comprehensive tour. Â The fact that it was sunny and in the mid 50 degrees F was certainly a factor. Â I saw some early color like the winter...
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Classic Cardinal Flower
Nice shot above of cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and 'Gateway' Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum). Â More on cardinal flower later....Today was another beautiful one with sunshine and...
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Love-Lies-Bleeding
The warm weather pattern has continued after some overnight rain which was drizzle most of Sunday as well. Â Today was overcast all day (60 degrees F) but showers will return tomorrow. Â We still had a...
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The Marvelous Moon Carrot
The moon carrot (Seseli gummiferum) is pretty cool! Â I first ran across this biennial (two years from seed to bloom) about 10 years ago and we've grown it RBG many times. Â It has always thrived in a...
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"Shamrocky" Plants
With St. Patrick's Day looming, I thought some "ornamental shamrocks" would be in order. Â The first three ornamental clovers (Trifolium hybrida) have some excellent leaf detail and will thrive in the...
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Green Flowers
I thought this blog topic would be appropriate for St. Patrick's Day. Â As a member of the O'Dwyer clan, I always celebrate this holiday in some fashion or another. Â Greenish flowers can certainly be...
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Kale - Not Just for Coleslaw!
While the use of kale (Brassica oleracea) as an ornamental isn't new, I think many folks utilize this showy plant primarily late in the season because of intense colors and frost tolerance. Â That is...
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Spring Has Sprung
Today was nice and sunny although the weather looks like it will turn cold, wet and sour later this week. Â There wasn't much wind today as evidenced above with a nice clear reflection of the arched...
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"Belly Button Height" Gardening
Today was mild with overcast skies. Â It looks the rest of the week will be colder with a significant chance of rain and possible wet snow later in the week. Â We had some great volunteer help today....
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Adaptive Gardening Tools
With the advancing rain/sleet/snow storm on the way, the weather was cool and cloudy with light rain started this morning. Â Big John and Larry H. both had outdoor duties including more tidying, pruning...
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Mother Nature's Gentle Reminder
I had some presentations yesterday and travel conditions fluctuated between ok and bad. Â I was watching the temperature alternate between 30 and 34 degrees F and noted quite a few cars off the road...
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